Things are feeling a little blue around here. All I need is a harmonica, an old dog, and a rocking chair on a porch.
On Tuesday Sean came in during the fifth inning. Two outs, tying run on third, winning run on first. It was 40 degrees and the parents were shivering. On a pickoff attempt at first he felt a sharp pain in his shoulder. He shook it off and worked the count to 1-2 and then got the batter to hit a dribbler back to him for the third out.
He didn't come back out for the sixth inning and I didn't think much of it. They have a very busy week against top rivals and they are preparing for the state tournament. When the trainer came to talk to me I knew something was wrong. He said Sean hurt his shoulder and he'd evaluate him tomorrow during school.
Yesterday the trainer called and said he thinks Sean has some labrum damage and should see an orthopedic sports doc asap and get an MRI. I scrambled and got that arranged for today. We leave in a few minutes. The poor kid is in pain.
After 10 years of no arm problems BAM! out of the blue he gets hurt. After all the years of his hard work culminating in what was his last dream season he's been shot out of the saddle at full gallop. He was 6-0 and the vital cog of the staff. He stepped up when they really needed him. After years of being small, quiet, and scrappy he was the go to guy on a great team.
But now with only four weeks left in the season the odds of him coming back are slim to none. He may have thrown his last pitch. I feel terrible for him. And he's depressed that he's letting the team down.
And this morning in the mail we got his graduation information ... seating, times, gowns, etc. I got choked up. Suddenly things feel like they are changing fast. I can't believe he's graduating high school. And in a few months he'll be away at college and the house won't be the same. A few days ago he was on top of his world on top of his favorite place - the mound. Now it all seems so fleeting. And I'm feeling maudlin. If I let myself think of him as a tiny eager little leaguer it's almost unbearable.
I know I should be happy for his future. I know I should be glad I'm the luckiest dad in the world. But I just feel sad that it's all changing, so quickly. It snuck up on me, sadly.
Sorry to be such a bummer. Hey, how 'bout dem Bears! |
